The Padel and Pickleball Surge in the UK

Padel and Pickleball are no longer growing fads, they’re now becoming a staple of the UK’s changing leisure landscape, with new courts opening every week and clubs scrambling to meet demand. For developers, asset owners and contractors, this shift is creating fast-moving opportunities. From repurposing underused tennis facilities to building specialist indoor venues, infrastructure is catching up.

We’re seeing Padel and Pickleball rising fast. Padel participation more than doubled in 2025, with 860,000 adults and juniors playing at least once during the year. That’s up from 400,000 at the end of 2024. The number of courts has also surged, with 1,553 Padel courts across 559 venues by the end of 2025. That’s up from 870 courts across 293 venues at the end of 2024.

Pickleball is growing quickly as well. Pickleball England has now passed 16,000 registered members, with 5,748 new players joining in 2025 alone. The sport has also gained stronger recognition, with Sport England recognising Pickleball as a sport.

Growing Infrastructure

New courts are appearing in sports parks, private clubs and converted tennis centres. Operators are investing in indoor facilities, canopies and lighting to keep pace with demand. In some towns, Padel courts are becoming a major part of local leisure and racquet sport provision.

Powerleague is one example. The 5-a-side operator is investing in a national Padel rollout, with plans to deliver 76 Padel courts by the end of 2026 and make the sport accessible to over 200,000 players each year. Local councils and private operators are also supporting development, with schemes continuing to come through planning across the UK.

Benefits for Tennis Businesses

You can fit three Padel or Pickleball courts into the footprint of one tennis court. That increases usage, membership options and commercial returns, especially if you’re limited on space. Many clubs now offer Padel courts indoors and hybrid access to both tennis and Padel to retain members and attract new ones.

Pickleball offers similar benefits. The setup is low-cost, with multi-use surfaces that fit into leisure centres or school gyms. For underused sites, adding pickleball can reinvigorate facilities with minimal expenditure.

Infrastructure and Construction Needs

To plan new courts, you need:

• Land and planning for small, enclosed courts with glass and mesh
• Surface prep for concrete with proper drainage
• Sound insulation indoors to reduce noise complaints
• Lighting, fencing, access, and club amenities like changing rooms
• Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain considerations for new developments
• Repurposing old tennis areas

Pickleball could use existing courts but you’d need to ensure need grounds are resurfaced, new marked zones and nets.

How Survey Solutions Helps You

For accurate data and increased efficiency. Survey Solutions can support you with:

• Land surveys and planning boundary checks
• Topographical terrain assessments and design drainage
• Subsurface investigations for ground prep or enclosure walls
• Noise monitoring and mitigation advice for indoor and outdoor courts
• Construction layout and quality control surveys at build stage
• Post build as‑built surveys for lease, asset register, or facilities management

These services can reduce delays and cost overruns, giving you accurate site insight so planning succeeds and infrastructure fits right first time.

Padel and Pickleball are rising fast in the UK. Courts and membership are booming. They offer profitable alternatives for tennis venues. Building courts requires clear site planning, sound control, drainage, and smart reuse. Survey Solutions brings the operational edge you need so you can plan, build, and play with confidence!